[stephenkhoo]

Scripture Reflections
Tuesday, 12 June, 2012, 10th Week, Ordinary Time
SHOW THE FACE OF GOD IN A SECULARIZED WORLD
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1 KG 17:7-16; MT 5:13-16

We are living in a world where the face of God is more and more difficult to be seen. More so in this secularized and technological world where God does not have a place in public life, nor does He seem relevant to the problems of humanity! The worldly man is unable to see the face of God because of his exclusive reliance on science and human efforts. Indeed, like the psalmist, we pray, “Lord, let your face shine on us. When I call, answer me, O my just God, you who relieve me when I am in distress; Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!”

It is within this context that we are called to be the face of Christ in the world. In the gospel, Jesus made it clear that we are called to be the salt and the light of the world. Salt of course is a symbol of preservative and light a symbol of enlightenment.

As salt of the earth, we are called to preserve the world from corruption and decadence. However, salt is not only a preservative but it also adds flavour to our food. Hence, to be salt is more than just to fight against sin by condemning the superficial values of the world, but we are called to enrich the world with goodness, love and the joy, peace, love and freedom of the gospel. Indeed, people must not see us Christians as killers of joy and fun. Rather, they must see us as people rich in love, vibrancy and life.

As the light of the world, we are called to enlighten humanity on the true values and divine wisdom for the world and humanity. Yes, the Church, like the light on the hill-top must be a beacon to the world that lives in darkness and half-truths. We are called to expose the falsehood of the world and transmit the true values of the gospel. Indeed, truth itself has splendor and hence cannot be hidden. Only the truth can set us free. We are called to live our life in such a way that would convince the world that living in the truth will liberate us, rather than living in sin and believing that we are happy when our conscience continues to reprimand us.

Today, in the person of Elijah and the widow, we see how they revealed the face of God to each other. For to be salt and light means that as we salt others, we bring others to share our happiness; and as light, we bring others to share in the light that we radiate. The poor widow in giving water and her last scrap of bread to Elijah revealed God’s divine providence and care for Elijah who was thirsty and hungry. However, as much as the poor widow revealed the face of God to Elijah, she in turned was rewarded by God with food that lasts forever. As Elijah prophesied, “For thus the Lord speaks, God of Israel: ‘Jar of meal shall not be spent, jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the day when the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth.’”

Indeed, both Elijah and the widow anticipated the New Testament. The miracle of the bread foreshadows the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, which itself anticipates the Eucharist where Christ as the bread of life is given to all.

Yet in all these instances, what is common to all is that of a deep faith. It was the faith of the widow and Elijah in God and His divine providence that miracles were worked. It was their great confidence in God as their saviour that God was found to be trustworthy. As the psalmist declared, “Know that the Lord does wonders for his faithful one; the Lord will hear me when I call upon him.Tremble, and sin not; reflect, upon your beds, in silence.”

Of course, faith is a growing thing. We do not have perfect faith in an instant. The widow’s faith was tested step by step. Elijah first asked her for water and it was only because she responded that Elijah could then challenge her to give up whatever she possessed. As for Elijah himself, his faith too had to be put to the test and be purified, as we read later how God changed the motives of Elijah in his battle against the false prophets from one of vindictiveness to one of mercy, especially when he was fleeing from Jezebel after slaughtering the false prophets.

Today, we too must rely on the power of God so that when He shows us His face, we in turn can show Him to others. As Jesus in the gospel reminds us, “but if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.” We must come to Jesus and allow Him to enrich our lives through our contemplation of His Word and our reception of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Salted by Christ and enlightened by Him, we can then continue to radiate the splendor of His light in us, His everlasting love and mercy, His joy and peace in us. Upon seeing how God is at work in us, people will give praise to our Father in heaven.